Two Weeks in Tavernier

Our stay at the Elks in Tavernier stretched into two weeks.  The campground at Elks Lodge 1872 has room for 12 units.  Most of the folks there have returned to the location several years in a row for the month of March.  We were fortunate to secure a spot.  The sites are right on the Gulf.  Once we took the dory from the roof of the Jeep, we could just lock it to a palm tree and easily drag it in the water when we wanted to take it out. 

As I said in an earlier post, Tavernier is a very different location than Flamingo.  Literally the difference is between a wilderness setting and a highly populated one.  Not only did we have easy access to the Gulf in Tavernier, we also had easy access to restaurants and shopping... never a good combination for us.  The daily event, like a ritual, was the gathering of campers by the water to watch the sunset.  I took tons of pictures of sunset after sunset, and I was just sure while I was shooting them that each would show the incredible variety we saw each evening.  Unfortunately, when I look at them now, they look so much the same in the pictures.  I guess that brings meaning to the statement, "I guess you had to be there."  I will say it is humbling to watch the sun, a huge fire ball, drop into the Gulf totally unblocked by clouds - knowing that "our" sunset is someone else's sunrise.  Also, as is true in so many locations in the Keys, you could walk "cross country" to the Atlantic side in the morning to watch the sunrise and walk to the Gulf side in the evening to watch the sunset.

Sunset in the Keys... A Daily Event

While in Tavernier, we were able to put the boat in the Gulf several times.  Jerry even got the opportunity to fish - no keepers, several Baracuda, and one huge fish that got away.  I don't fish; I drive which suits me just fine.  I also provide enthusiastic encouragement.  Much like a cooking show, I'd rather watch than do it.

We continue to learn what the the dory can and can't do.  High wind and large chop are a no-brainer / a no-go.  We did have a couple of days when the wind was down and the water was flat.  The new electric motor with a new prop pushes the dory through the water with no problem, but we do always have oars or paddles with us... just in case.  On the windier days, we could duck between mangroves to get out of the wind.

Green Marker 31

As is true of most places, we are enjoying the other campers.  Tavernier was no exception.  We enjoyed getting to know Donna and Russ from Massachusetts and Kathy and Bernie from Michigan.  I did have an interesting insight the night before we left the Keys.  All the other campers were also leaving either Sunday or Monday - to go back somewhere.  All the others were returning to a home in a variety of locations.  Most were returning to states where the snow was still falling.  We, on the other hand, were not "returning" anywhere.  With the exception of getting to our son Christopher's house in early summer, to our daughter Sara's wedding in mid-October,  and visit with brother Ted and many friends in Elkhart, we don't "have to be" anywhere.  We only have to be where we want to be.  It was a novel realization, and one I really liked.

Since we have, as of March 15th,  marked one full year living in the RV full time, we spent time discussing the pros - too many to mention, and the cons- too few to put much thought to.  All in all, this adventure we are on is our best so far.

Our next destination - Sarasota.  We arrived here late Sunday afternoon.  We decided to stay at Sun and Fun, a huge RV park, for the week so I could spend time taking care of business with my on-line Ball State classes I teach and not have to be concerned with Internet connection.  The park has 1,500 sites, an indoor and outdoor pool, a huge fitness center, tons of play space for kids, day spa, post office, dog runs, dog spa, and it's amazingly quiet with all that activity. 

From Sarasota, we will travel to Bushnell, FL.  Then we will spend time again in Cedar Key before we have to head back to Tampa for maintenance on the RV.   The front furnace needs work, two leaks in the rear must be stopped, and a few other small items addressed.  Hmmmm... sounds like owning a home.